Chapter 171: Tidying up

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Translator: Soafp

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“So anyway, the first thing we need to do is organize the receipts and input the numbers (suddenly).”

“…What?”

“You're bad at explaining☆”

“S-sorry……”

When I explained it like that, the two of them tilted their heads.

Since they both have light brown hair, they kind of look like sisters. I won't say it out loud though—if I did, I'd probably get thrown out the window!

Needless to say, this is a tower apartment.

“I need to use these documents to explain to my parents what I've been doing for the past three months.”

“Not just vaguely—put it into clear, easy-to-understand numbers.”

“And on top of that, I need to clearly clear up the things they're worried about. That's why we're organizing receipts.”

There's a mountain of things to do.

Even so, I have to work through them one by one.

“…I see.”

“…Are you sleepy, Nina?”

“Not really……”

Maybe it was seeing the pile of receipts—her eyes looked kind of droopy.

She's never been good at studying, especially number-related stuff like this.

Well, it's already pretty late at night anyway.

“Whaaa~. Guess we all need to work hard starting tomorrow.”

“…Seriously, thank you so much (deep bow).”

“But hey, can I say one thing, Toumachi-kun?”

“?”

“Your room is filthy☆”

“…”

Come to think of it, I hadn't cleaned at all (the end).

“Toumachi's mom and dad are coming, so we really need to do something about this room first~”

“…I'll help… clean up too……”

“N-no, but it's already 10 p.m.……”

“We'll only do things that won't make noise downstairs☆”

“Yeah……”

“Little sis should go to sleep~”

“…mm……”

She was already in her pajamas when they arrived anyway.

Just like that, she was led into the bedroom and onto the bed.

Hey now, are you the older sister? Are you? What about my position here (vanished)?

“Zzzzzz”

“So fast.”

“Haha. Nina's always been good at falling asleep.”

Unlike me, a proud PC addict, she doesn't get much blue light.

Instead she gets plenty of sunlight—maybe that's why she's so bright and cheerful.

“Guess that's what you call a real ‘leaf-yō-kyara,' huh (small laugh).” [TL: “She's not just an extrovert—she's a leaf-powered extrovert.”]

“…Did you say something?”

“N-nothing at all.”

“Alright, let's get to it☆”

“Please take care of me (deep bow).”

…Now that I think about it, isn't Hiiragi-san way too nice?

Who was it that called her the Demon King anyway (how many times has this been)?

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We split up and started cleaning my filthy☆ room.

My hobbies were scattered everywhere— even the bookshelf was a mess.

Only small items that don't make noise—though there were still a ton of them.

Yeah, there's no way I could welcome my parents like this.

“For now, wouldn't it be fine to pile things up in this storage space?☆”

“Ah—wait, that's—”

Before I could finish, Hiiragi-san confidently headed straight for the living room's black box (literally).

“Whoa, what is this place! Totally feels like a guy's secret base☆”

“Haha… sorry it's such a mess.”

“Is this a light?”

“Ah, yes… if you turn that dial, it turns on.”

This is the top-tier area of my hobbies: composing music, writing, illustration, plus studying.

Books and papers related to all of that are scattered everywhere.

Lately I've been leaning more toward music.

To set the mood, I even installed an LED lantern.

No wonder my eyesight's getting worse (deep regret).

“…Waa, this atmosphere is kinda dangerous☆”

“Oi oi oi oi (virgin).”

It's a tent meant for two people, set up indoors.

The lantern softly illuminates me and Hiiragi-san.

“Kind of makes your heart race.”

“…D-does it? I mean, I'm… used to it……”

I say that while deliberately looking away from her face.

Of course my heart's racing!! Who wouldn't in this situation (unreasonable logic).

“Toumachi, you know…”

“W-what is it?”

“You're about the only guy I don't want to disappear from my life.”

“…Huh? Ah—ah—ah—”

“Pfft, you're freaking out way too much.”

“Th-thank you.”

For her, her tone was unusually reserved.

I can't read what she's thinking.

It's not her usual energetic self.

“If your parents try to take you away—I will stop them with everything I have got.”

“…Isn't it usually the other way around?”

“True! Toumachi, you're like the heroine of a shounen manga☆”

“Shouldn't it be shoujo manga then?”

“With that face? No way☆”

“You're absolutely right (crying on the inside).”

We both laugh.

Yeah, this side of her really suits her best.

“Alright, let's hurry up and clean—” (Hiiragi)

“You know.”

“Hm?”

“If I do everything I can, and they still say they're taking me away… I'll go with them.”

“…Huh.”

“Well, you know. This house and this school were things I asked them to provide in the first place.”

Unfortunately, without my parents, I couldn't live here at all.

That's why it's only natural for me to follow their decision.

“…Toumachi, are you really okay with that?”

“Yeah. But—”

Her voice sounds unusually weak.

Seeing such a rare side of Hiiragi-san, I smile and point at my own head with a finger.

“This ‘rainbow color'—that's something I'll never let change.”

That, at least—no matter what.

“…Fuhaha, what is that even supposed to mean☆”

“Then… please help with the cleaning……”

“O~”